When I started my first company I should have been too scared to get out of bed in the morning.  There was a lot to fear.  I was in over my head in every conceivable way.  Yet, I couldn’t wait to get started in the morning and worked around the clock.  I was so filled with passion and excited about what I was doing there wasn’t time to be afraid. I was a woman on a mission!  I was very clear about my WHY—fear didn’t stand a chance.

After years of saying I would never bungee jump, when it came time to raise money for charity, I couldn’t let a little thing like fear stand in the way.  I am willing to do anything for a good cause, especially a cause as worthy as Grameen America.  My WHY was far more important than my fear of bungee jumping.  However, those who know me knew I wouldn’t settle for just jumping off a building somewhere.  It had to be amazing if I was going to risk life and limb.  I decided a tandem jump with my hubby across the fourth longest river in Africa would do.  When we took that leap of faith across the Zambezi river it was pure joy!

Whether starting a business, building something, or raising funds for charity, when we tap into WHY and make our purpose the focus, our fears will often take a back seat allowing us to accomplish so much more.

Audre Lorde said it best, “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

Lisa Hammond
The Barefoot CEO ®